and of course, brain injury

Pumpkin Pie Protein Shake

I have been training hard since returning from the East coast. In fact, my back is covered in Bio-Freeze right now! I am gradually getting back to that mindset where I NEED the gym. I’ve always had that affection for running, but after my surgeries I’ve wanted to go to the gym, but not had that “I will skip pretty much anything in order to train” mentality. Thank goodness my unbridled determination is rearing it’s ugly head; the past has proven that I am happiest when I go to bed early, get up early, and have two training sessions a day (and looking like a million bucks is good for happiness too!)

I typically use protein powders (Dymatize is my favorite) that are a whey/casein blend. For this I did not simply because I only had vanilla flavor in whey (note to self, using coffee flavored protein powder might make this taste like a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte!). Like anything, adjust the seasoning as you see fit. I don’t have pumpkin pie spice so I used two dashes of cinnamon, ground clove, and nutmeg and one dash of ground ginger. Of course the chia and flax are optional and don’t bring anything to the flavor party. Also Glutalean is entirely optional; I drink this after the gym and I am trying to incorporate glutamine to help my muscles recover.

The pumpkin puree is LOADED with fiber BTW.

Ingredients – Serves 1

8 oz unsweetened almond milk

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

1 teaspoon ground chia seeds

1 teaspoon ground flax seeds

1/2 cup pure pumpkin puree (I like Libby’s)

1 scoop Glutalean (entirely optional, you can certainly make this without it)

1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice

Method

1. Blend all ingredients with two pieces of ice until smooth and uniform.